AHDB Cattle and Sheep Weekly

AHDB Cattle and Sheep Weekly - 14 November 2016

Stability in live lamb trade

Lamb prices at GB auction markets have remained stable in the past week despite a fall in the number of lambs slaughtered, suggesting a decline in demand. In the week ended 9 November, the GB SQQ at liveweight markets increased by less than a penny to reach 166.4p/kg. This leaves prices just 13p above the same period from the previous year. Prices have remained stable despite fewer lambs coming to market compared to the previous week, while the pound remained relatively stable, suggesting demand had weakened compared to the previous seven days. Prices began the period below week-earlier levels and then began to increase. On Wednesday 9 November, prices were up by a penny on the previous week at 163.4p/kg. However, this was only 7p higher than levels seen in 2015 following sharper increases seen at this time last year.